Ricerc@Sapienza

Nitric oxide (NO) is a well-known active site ligand and inhibitor of respiratory terminal oxidases. Here, we investigated the interaction of NO with a purified chimeric bcc-aa3 supercomplex composed of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cytochrome bcc and Mycobacterium smegmatis aa3-type terminal oxidase. Strikingly, we found that the enzyme in turnover with O2 and reductants is resistant to inhibition by the ligand, being able to metabolize NO at 25◦C with an apparent turnover number as high as ≈303 mol NO (mol enzyme)−1 min−1 at 30 µM NO.

Background: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) reflects poor asthma control. Assessing noninvasive biomarkers associated with EIB could help to monitor patients in the pediatric age. Aims: To test exhaled and urinary biomarkers for assessing EIB in atopic asthmatic children.

Angiotensin (1-7) production increases during AT1R (angiotensin type-1 receptor) blockade. The contribution of Ang (1-7) (angiotensin [1-7]) and its receptor (MasR) to the favorable effect of angiotensin receptor blockers on remodeling and function of resistance arteries remains unclear. We sought to determine whether MasR contributes to the improvement of vascular structure and function during chronic AT1R blockade. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were treated with Ang (1-7) or olmesartan ± MasR antagonist A-779, or vehicle, for 14 days.

Oryza sativa L. is a worldwide food-crop frequently growing in cadmium (Cd) polluted soils. High Cd concentrations alter plant development and, in particular, the root-system, both by affecting auxin metabolism and by triggering reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), thereby affecting rice yield. In addition, Cd2+ easily enters in the rice root cells through passive transport, reaching the grains after xylem-tophloem transfer, thus becoming a threat to food security.

Developmental and environmental signaling networks often converge during plant growth in response to changing conditions. Stress-induced hormones, such as jasmonates (JAs), can influence growth by crosstalk with other signals like brassinosteroids (BRs) and ethylene (ET). Nevertheless, it is unclear how avoidance of an abiotic stress triggers local changes in development as a response.

Background High blood pressure (BP) has long been recognized as a major health threat and, particularly, a major risk factor for stroke, cardiovascular disease, and end-organ damage. However, the identification of a novel, alternative, integrative approach for the control of BP and cardiovascular protection is still needed. Methods and Results Sixty-nine uncontrolled hypertension patients, aged 40 to 68 years, on antihypertensive medication were enrolled in 2 double-blind studies.

Aging is associated with impairment of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and progressive reduction in endothelial function. A genetic study on long-living individuals - who are characterized by delays in aging and in the onset of cardiovascular disease - previously revealed I229V ( rs2070325 ) in BPIFB4 as a longevity-associated variant (LAV); the LAV protein enhanced endothelial NO production and vasorelaxation through a PERK/14-3-3/HSP90 signal. Here, we further characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying LAV-BPIFB4-dependent enhancement of vascular function.

Background:

The involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the modulation of teleost osmoresponsive circuits is suggested by the facts that NO synthase enzymes are expressed in the neurosecretory systems and may be regulated by osmotic stimuli. The present paper is an overview on the research suggesting a role for NO in the central modulation of hormone release in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial and the caudal neurosecretory systems of teleosts during the osmotic stress response.

The role of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and of the auxin-interacting phytohormone ethylene on xylogenesis is still little known, even if a xylogenic promotion by auxins has been reported. In particular, auxin/ethylene-target tissue(s), modality of the de novo xylary process, and the kind of ectopic elements formed (metaxylem vs. protoxylem) are currently unknown. It is instead widely known that auxins positively affect adventitious root (AR) formation, e.g. in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and in in vitro cultured systems of numerous species.